3 ways to show the world you have changed

She hobbled toward me with a moon boot on. 

I was meeting my new client for the first time and in fact, one of the first female entrepreneurs I had the opportunity to consult to. She had injured her leg and decided to use the time to reinvent herself. 

We sat down and I am fairly sure I was as nervous as she was. She was nervous because she found the idea of putting herself out there daunting. I was nervous because I was still working out exactly what to do as a personal brand consultant. We were made for each other. 

We discussed her vision for a book, her desire to get out on the speaking circuit, and her drive to create a personal brand that would remain an asset once she sold her business. We spoke at length, worked on new ideas, and mapped out some of the things that she would need to consider. All in all, it did mean reinventing her personal brand and trusting the vision of her future self.

The transformation was absolutely remarkable. 

As she wrote the book a new person began to emerge. It was as if with every chapter she wrote, she was allowing her future self to come forth. She lost half her body weight not because she had to, but it what she wanted and with that gained the confidence to elevate her style. I will admit I can take no credit, she put in the hard work and it paid off. 

Today she is a published author, an emerging speaker and I would say a woman who is confidently putting herself out there. So what are some of the steps she took that you can also consider- 

1. Consider a makeover (and new profile shot)

Making a fresh start ultimately starts from within, but demonstrating it to others can start from the outside. Try a new hairstyle, wear a new colour, or embrace a new look.

By no means am I suggesting you need to pretend to be anything you are not, but consider that maybe it is time to show a new side of yourself?

All the major fashion outlets offer a complimentary personal shopping service and it is a great way to get a new perspective on what suits you. Get your hair done, invest in some grooming, and allow yourself to ‘feel’ new.

And don’t be afraid to share your new look online. There is nothing like a new profile shot to shout new beginnings.

2. Discover a new who, what and why

Communicating your story with purpose starts with getting clear on it in your own mind. Putting aside all fear and logic, take the time to ask yourself the following questions.

·       What do I want to achieve and why?

·       What do I want to represent and why?

·       Who do I want to influence and why?

Do not skip this step and put it down to a waste of time. Your clarity will show through in how you speak and write about your new start.

3. Show up differently

Whether it is in person or online, let others see the change in you. Own it and share it. This may lead to you making an announcement of sorts, or you may just prefer to let others come to their own conclusions. Perhaps you do write that book you have been dreaming of or officially start and launch that side hustle. Whatever you do, do not be swayed by the negative opinions of those closest to you. They have a vested interest in you being the same person they have known and loved for a long time. Understand that the people who are meant to be in your life for the long haul, will embrace your past self and allow you room to grow into the person you choose to be today.

As if by divine design a quote popped up on my LinkedIn feed that sums all of this up perfectly-

Life is not about who you once were. It's about who you are now, and who you have the potential to be.